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Five big things to celebrate on Israel’s 68th modern birthday.

UPDATED: As the modern State of Israel turns 68 years old, the citizens and residents of this tiny country find themselves facing serious threats. But amidst all the sobering headlines, there is much good news, too.

Here are five big things I’m celebrating — I hope you will, too.

First, the very fact that the State of Israel exists today, and is celebrating her 68th modern birthday, is evidence of the dramatic fulfillment of ancient Biblical prophecies, and a powerful testimony that the Bible is the very Word of God.

Many ancient Biblical prophecies — notably Ezekiel 36, 37, 38 & 39 — indicated that Israel would be reborn as a geopolitical nation state in the “last days” of history, that Jews would return en masse to the holy land, and that the Jewish people, with God’s help, would rebuild the “ancient ruins.”

For much of the past 1,900, many people around the world — including, unfortunately, many Church fathers — did not believe these prophecies would literally come to pass. Yet they have come to pass, and are continuing to do so.

This is both exciting and encouraging because it shows that God is faithful to His promises and merciful to His people, even when His people are not all seeking after Him, reading His Word, and/or obeying Him.

True, there are many Jews today who don’t believe in the prophecies, or their fulfillment. But according to a fascinating new Pew Forum study, 61% of Israeli Jews believe that God literally promised the Land to the Jewish people in the Scriptures, while only 40% Americans Jews believe Israel in the “Promised Land.” (see page 106 of the topline results.)

Second, despite innumerable threats by Israel’s neighbors to annihilate the Jewish State — and despite so many wars, intifadas, terrorism, boycotts and other attacks aimed at bringing such threats to pass — Israel is alive and growing.

A 2015 survey found that “a majority of Israeli Jews, while identifying as ‘secular’ or ‘traditional,’ are nevertheless interested in gaining a deeper knowledge and understanding of the Bible,” reported Israel Today. “Conducted by the Motagim Institute on behalf of the religious website Maimonides Daily, the poll revealed that 54 percent of Israeli Jews feel they only have a ‘basic grasp’ of their national faith, and that 57 percent would commit at least five minute a day to reading the Bible.”

Fifth,there is new and compelling evidence that many Israelis believe faith in Jesus (Yeshua) as Messiah is not a contradiction to being Jewish, and many are exploring what faith in Jesus really means. Consider, too, the following data:

According to the sweeping 2015 Pew Forum study of Israeli religious attitudes, a stunning 18% of all Israeli Jews say that a Jew can believe that Jesus is the Messiah and still be Jewish. (see page 48 of the Pew study)

Remarkably, 19% of “Haredi” Israelis — very religious Orthodox Jews — say a Jew can believe that Jesus is the Messiah and still be Jewish. (see page 48 of the Pew study)

This means that of approximately 9 million Hebrew speakers on the planet, more than 1 in 9 have now chosen to watch one or more videos about the teachings of Yeshua just since the beginning of 2015.

There are now some 15,000 Jewish followers of Yeshua in Israel, up from just a few dozen in 1948.

In addition, there are several thousand Evangelical Arab followers of Jesus Christ, as well.

What’s more, there are growing ties of unity and fellowship between Jewish and Arab followers of Yeshua. There is a long way to go. There remains tension and distrust within both communities. But now that I’m living here, I can see some significant signs of progress. That’s a subject for another day. But this too is a reason to rejoice — and let us pray this unity grows and deepens.

Yes, sadly, darkness is falling in this region. But there is much good news and much to be encouraged by. Please pray for Israel and her neighbors. Pray for the Church here and throughout the region. And pray for the Lord to show you how you can be involved in blessing Israel and her neighbors in the name of Jesus. Thanks, and God bless you.

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